Fake ID Scheme In Eugene

Authorities say they've thwarted a fake identity scheme in Eugene that echoes the counterculture the city is known for.

They say 27-year-old Michael Allen Snow applied for a birth certificate as "Winter Rain Waters." He told a judge he was born Christmas Day 1987 on "The Rainbow Farm" to "Misty Summer Rain" and "William Waters," but his parents didn't registered his birth.

The Register-Guard says Snow was convicted of rape and was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender.

Snow got the birth certificate last year and applied for a state ID card. Facial recognition software showed his image appeared to match a driver's license issued to Snow.

He and a nurse accused of helping in the scheme have pleaded not guilty to mail fraud.